WHY IT RATES: Tourism officials in Chicago are urging people to use their vacation days in 2018.—Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer.

The Illinois Office of Tourism is joining forces with U.S. Travel Association's Project: Time Off coalition for National Plan for Vacation Day on Tuesday, January 30. The partnership hopes to encourage everyone to stop making excuses and start making vacation plans.

Why does this matter?

Every year, more than half of Illinois workers, 51 percent, fail to use all their time off, creating a pile of nearly 23 million unused vacation days. In Chicago, 44 percent of employees don't use all their hard-earned vacation time, wasting more than 18 million vacation days. When it comes to leaving vacation days behind, Illinois ranks 34 out of 50 states, according to research from Project: Time Off.

Nationally, 54 percent of Americans fail to use all their time off, leaving behind 662 million vacation days. Last year, vacation usage in the U.S. rose to an average of 16.8 days, a drastic change considering prior to 2000, Americans took an average of 20.3 vacation days each year.

"Illinois Office of Tourism is celebrating National Plan for Vacation Day because it's time for workers across Illinois to reclaim their vacation days," said Cory Jobe, director, Illinois Office of Tourism. "From the rolling hills of southern Illinois to cruising the Great River Road or hiking through Starved Rock Country, Illinois offers amazing places and experiences when you're looking to escape, unwind and re-charge all year round."

Pop-Up Vacation Station inside Chicago's Union Station

To motivate and inspire people to plan a vacation, Illinois Tourism will host a pop-up Vacation Station inside Chicago's Union Station Great Hall on January 30 and 31. The Vacation Station transparent dome will offer an instant escape from the winter blues with an elaborate design by the Chicago Flower and Garden Show and an interactive open-air photo booth.

There will be free giveaways for morning commuters and the chance to win a free weekend getaway, including round-trip Amtrak tickets and a hotel stay, to select Illinois destinations including Alton, Quincy, Champaign, and Springfield. To inspire vacation planning, Illinois Tourism encourages everyone to share their favorite vacation memory in Illinois on social media with #EnjoyIllinois and #PlanforVacation for a chance to be featured on Enjoy Illinois Instagram and Facebook.

Vacation Planners are Happier

Research shows that planners have a distinct advantage over non-planners. Project: Time Off's The State of American Vacation 2017 report found that planners use more of their time, take longer vacations, and are happier.

—52 percent of planners took all their vacation time vs. 40 percent of non-planners.

—75 percent of planners were more likely to take a full week of vacation time or more at a time. Non-planners take significantly fewer days, zero to three, than planners at once (42 percent to 18 percent).

—More planners report they are "very" or "extremely" happy with their relationships (83 percent vs. 70 percent), health and well-being (57 percent vs. 48 percent), company (57 percent vs. 51 percent), and job (59 percent vs. 50 percent) compared to non-planners.

Economic Impact

If more people used their vacation days, it would help boost the U.S. economy, generate jobs and decrease taxes. In 2016, Illinois tourism generated $35.1 billion in direct spending, $2.6 billion in state and local tax revenue and 10,000 jobs. Tourism spending saves the average Illinois household $1,300 in taxes annually.

To start planning the perfect getaway this year in Illinois, visit EnjoyIllinois.com/Vacation. Join the conversation online with #EnjoyIllinois and #PlanForVacation.

SOURCE: The Illinois Office of Tourism press release.